led to 2nd, led again 7th, hung right and headed briefly bend after 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on
held up, headway 12th, ridden when hit 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, behind when jumped slowly 8th, effort 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
in touch, mistake 11th, went 2nd after next, ridden 14th, kept on one pace
led 2nd, hit 4th, headed and mistake 7th, left in lead briefly after 10th, mistake 12th, weakened next, tailed off when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
Bak To Bill can gain compensation for a recent slipup although Jim Jam Joey and Blame The Ref hold claims. Bak To Bill was confidently backed before unshipping the rider on a recent outing at Taunton but this is a chance to gain compensation as the form with Surefast (who won earlier this week) at Exeter looks much the best. Jim Jam Joey handles this surface well and while he is fast approaching twelve years of age, his chase rating is very much lower than his hurdles mark so there is still some room for manoeuvre. Blame The Ref had some decent chasing form in Ireland when with Francis Flood but has only hit the winners enclosure once in twenty-nine career starts. Paul Keane's horses have run well first time out thus far so a good run from Barton Hill shouldn't be a complete surprise. Jumping should win this and if Bak To Bill stands up, he will be difficult to beat.
